We finished ages ago, I said sweetly. Michael came back for coffee.
Right, said Richard, oblivious to the implication I was thrusting under his nose. You wont mind if I join you, then?
Without waiting for an answer, he plonked himself down on the sofa opposite Michael and unpacked his takeaway. Im Richard Barclay, by the way, he said, extending a hand across the table to Michael. You wait for Brannigan to remember her manners, you could be dead.
Michael Haroun, he said, shaking Richards hand. Pleased to meet you. Yes, an insurance man born and bred. Only an estate agent could have lied more convincingly.
Richard jumped to his feet and headed for the door. Chopsticks and bowls for three? he asked. Sorry, Mike, I wasnt expecting company, but theres probably enough to go round.
Richard jumped to his feet and headed for the door. Chopsticks and bowls for three? he asked. Sorry, Mike, I wasnt expecting company, but theres probably enough to go round.
Weve just had dinner, Richard, I said. I did leave you a message.
Yeah, I know, he grinned. But Ive never known you refuse a salt-and-pepper rib, Brannigan.
Sorry about that, I said as he left.
Michael winked. Gives me a chance to suss out the competition.
I didnt like the idea that I was some kind of prize, even if it was gratifying to know that he was interested in more than recovering Henry Naismiths Monet. And he didnt even have the excuse of a previous encounter in the British Museum. What makes you think theres a competition? I asked sweetly.
Michael leaned back against the sofa and stretched his legs out. I thought you were the detective. Kate, if you two were as happy as pigs, youd have left me sitting in the car wondering where exactly Id made the wrong move.
Before I could reply, Richard was back. Ill get the coffee, I said, annoyed with myself for my transparency. By the time I got back, Richard and Michael were getting to know each other. And they say women are bitches.
So, what do you do when youre not chipping a oner off peoples car-theft claims because your assessor spoke to the next-door neighbor who revealed that the ashtray was full? Richard asked through a mouthful of shiu mai.
As I sat down next to him, Michael smiled at me and said, I play computer games. Like Kate.
I poured the coffee in silence and let the boys play. All a bit sedentary, Richard remarked, loading his bowl with fried rice and what looked like chicken hoi nam.
Oh, I work out down at the gym, Michael said. I believed him. I could feel the hard muscles in the arm pressed against mine.
Richard nodded, as if confirming a guess. Thought as much, he said. Bit too pointless for me, all that humping metal around. I prefer something a bit more social for keeping in shape. But then, I suppose it cant be easy finding people who want to play with you when youre an insurance claims manager, he added, almost as an afterthought. Bit like being a VAT man.
Ive never had any problems finding people to play with, Michael drawled. I had no trouble believing that. What exactly is it that you do to keep fit, Richard? Squash? Real tennis? Polo? Or do you prefer raves?
Richard almost choked on his food. Neither of us rushed to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Recovering, he swallowed hard and said, Im a footie man myself. Local league. Every Sunday morning, never mind the weather.
Michael smiled. Remember that poem? The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold? Ive never been much into mud myself, he said sweetly.
Had a good evening? I chipped in before things got out of hand.
Richard nodded. Been down the Academy listening to East European grunge bands. Some good sounds. He gave me one of his perfect smiles. Hows your workload progressing?
I shrugged. Slowly, I said. Michaels been giving me some background on the art front, and Ive got Alexis to chuck a few bricks into the pond. Its a question of waiting to see what floats to the surface.
And we all know what floats, Richard said drily, glancing at Michael.
Michael decided enough was enough. He drained his mug and put it down on the coffee table. Id better be on my way, he said. Busy day tomorrow.
We both stood up. Ill see you out, I said.
Nice to meet you, Richard, Michael said politely on his way out the door.
Feelings entirely mutual, Richard said ironically.
On the doorstep, I thanked Michael for dinner. It was a pleasant change, I said.
I can see that, Michael said. Maybe we could do it again sometime.
I only hesitated for a moment. Thatd be nice, I admitted.
Let me know how your investigation progresses, he said. Stay in touch. He leaned forward and brushed my cheek with his lips. He smelled of warm, clean animal, the last traces of his aftershave lingering muskily underneath. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as my body tingled.
I turned my head and met his lips in a swift, breathless kiss. Before it could turn into anything more, I stepped back. Drive safely, I said.
I watched him walk to his car, enjoying the light bounce of his step. Then, I took a deep breath and walked back indoors.
After Michael had gone, Richard polished off the remains of his Chinese, making no comment on my choice of company for the evening. He asked if I wanted to see a movie the following evening and we bickered companionably about what wed go and see, me holding out for Blade Runner: The Directors Cut, revisiting the Cornerhouse for the umpteenth time. No way, Richard had said emphatically. Im not going to the Corner-house. Im getting too old for art houses. Theyre full of politically correct wankers trying to pretend they understand the articles in the Modern Review. You cant move for people rabbiting about semiotics and Fbucault and deconstruction. He paused, then got to the real reason. Besides, they dont sell popcorn or Haagen-Dazs. You cant call that a night out at the movies.
I gave in gracefully. Satisfied that Id made the concession, Richard announced he had to write an article about the post-Communist rockers for some American West Coast magazine, and he wanted to get it written and faxed before he went to bed. He swept the remains of his takeaway into the carrier bags and gave me a swift hug. I love you, Brannigan, he muttered gruffly into my ear.
I fell asleep with the words of Dean Friedmans Love Is Not Enough swirling round my head like a mantra. I woke up alone the next morning, and not particularly surprised by that. I felt strangely deflated, as if something Id been anticipating hadnt happened. I wasnt sure if that was to do with Michael or Eichard. Either way, I didnt like the feeling that my state of mind was dependent on anyone else. I stood in the shower for a long time, letting the water pour down. A friend of mine whos into all that New Age stuff reckons a shower cleanses your aura. I dont know about that, but it always helps me put things into perspective.
By the time I walked through the office door, I was feeling in control of my life again. That might have had something to do with the miracle of finding a parking meter that was nearer the office than my house. Parking in this city gets worse by the day. Ive been seriously wondering how much it would cost to bribe the security men at the BBC building across the road to let me park my car inside their compound. Probably more than I earn.
Shelley was on the phone, so I headed straight for the cof-feemaker, a shiny chrome cappuccino machine that my partner, the gadget king of the North West, bought us for a treat after a grateful client gave us a bonus because wed done the job faster than Speedy Gonzales. Somehow, I couldnt see either of our current employers rewarding my swiftness. I was beginning to feel like I was wading through cement on both cases.
Before I could fill the scoop with coffee, I heard Shelley say, Hang on, shes just walked in.
I turned to see her waving the phone at me. Alexis, Shelley said.
I headed for my office. Coffee? It was a try-on, I admit it. Mortensen and Brannigan adopts a firm you want it, you make it policy on coffee. But every now and again, Shelley takes pity on me.
I guess I didnt look needy enough, for there were no signs of her crossing the office after shed switched the call through. I sighed and picked up the phone. Morning, I said.
Dont sound so enthusiastic, the familiar Liverpudlian voice rasped. Here am I, bringing you tidings from the front line and you greet me with all the eager anticipation of a woman expecting bad news from her dentist.
Its your own fault. Never come between a woman and her cappuccino, I retorted crisply.
I heard the sound of smoke being inhaled, then a husky chuckle. Some of us dont need coffee this late in the day. Some of us have already done half a days work, KB.
Self-righteousness doesnt become you, I snarled. Did you call for a reason, or did you just want to be told theres something clever about having a job that starts in the middle of the night?
Theres gratitude for you, Alexis said cheerfully. I call you up to pass on vital information, and what thanks do I get?
I took a deep breath. Thank you, 0 bountiful one, I groveled. So whats this vital piece of information?
What have you got to swap for it?
I thought for a moment. You can borrow my leather jacket for a week.
Too tight under the armpits. Whats the matter, KB.? Got no gossip to trade? Whats happening with the insurance man?
If the Chronicles editor ever decides he needs to pacify the antismoking lobby and fire Alexis, shell never starve. She could set up tomorrow in a booth on Blackpool pier. She wouldnt even have to change her name. Gypsy Alexis Lee sounds just fine to me. We had dinner last night, I said abruptly.
And?
And nothing. Dinner at That Cafe\ he came in for coffee, Richard barged in waving a Chinese, they squabbled like two dogs over a bone, he went home.
Alone?
Of course alone, what do you take me for? On second thought, dont answer that. Trust me, Alexis, nothings happening with the insurance man. Youll be the first to know if and when there is. Now, cut the crap and tell me what you rang for.